Holy Trinity (Konkani) Prayer Group of Our Lady of Egypt Church – Kalina
“Call to Repentance” – A half-a-day Retreat, in Konkani organised by the Holy Trinity (Konkani) Prayer Group of our parish on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, in the Church Community Hall.
The “Call to Repentance” was heard not only throughout our parish, but also by our neighbouring parishes at Kurla and Vakola. A few of them travelled as far as from Malad in the western suburbs and Sion and Vikhroli in the central suburbs, filling the Community Hall with approximately 150 to 160 people. Thanks be to God.
Rev. Fr. John Lopes our Parish Priest in his simple introduction, a touch of humour and him singing a song in Konkani left the people in awe preparing the ground for us to begin the spiritual journey.
The highlight of the Retreat was the awesome preaching by our guest preacher “Rev. Fr. Francis Rosario OFM” with his simple yet thought provoking words, getting the crowd on their feet right from the start to the end. Inspiring everyone by his eloquent knowledge of the scripture, stirring the hearts of the people by the Word of God, indeed proclaiming, ‘A Call to Repentance’ by inviting one and all to surrender their lives to God. It wasn’t just serious preaching but also through his humour he kept the crowd going. The response of the people was truly overwhelming. The gentle touch of the Lord during the Eucharistic Adoration brought many on their knees. The retreat culminated with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The Prayer Group Co-ordinator Ms. Joanna D’Souza along with the members of the core group take this opportunity to thank our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Lopes for giving us the permission to organise this Retreat, giving us the newly renovated Community Hall for this spiritual cause. A big thank you to our Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Cliffy Fernandes for his support, co-ordination and spiritual guidance rendered through-out the year. The core group also wish to thank to Rev. Fr. Amol first for his presence during the retreat and also for all his support he gives whenever needed.
The Holy Trinity (Konkani) Prayer Group of our parish had also organised an “Outdoor Stations of the Cross” at Atma Darshan – Mahakali on Thursday, 19th March 2026. This was attended by forty-seven people. A few members of St. Anthony’s Prayer Group -Vakola, too had joined us for the same.
An hour-long walk, up the hill from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. halting at every Station of the Cross with reverence and prayerful gestures, contemplating on the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, made this Way of the Cross journey and sacrifice worth the time and money spent. The walk on the steep hill though not too long nor very high, stirred the hearts of many, this experience brought before our very eyes the gist of what Jesus must have faced while he walked with the heavy Cross on his shoulders at Mount Calvary. Hats-off to all the senior citizens for their presence and zeal for the Lord who managed to climb the hill.
Thereafter, a teaching on “The Way of the Cross – A Way of Transformation” by our very own prayer group member Bro. Anthony D’Souza – taking us from the time of Creation to Calvary – How by the power of the ‘Word’ (Genesis chapter one) the world was created, till the ‘Word became Flesh and lived among us’ (John chapter 1 verse 14) and finally to the ‘Cross at Golgotha,’ was opened before us, as if we are living those moments and stirring us from within. The Divine presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist – His living presence tangibly with us and in us truly shook us to the core. The teaching ended with worshiping Christ our Lord with a solemn bhajan leading us to the peak once again.
Once again, the Prayer Group Co-ordinator Ms. Joanna D’Souza along with the members of the core group take this opportunity to thank our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Lopes and our Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Cliffy Fernandes for their permission and support.
